William John Symons VC (10 July 1889 – 24 June 1948)
He was 26 years old, and a 2Lt in the 7th Battalion (Victoria) AIF during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 8–9 August 1915, at Lone Pine, Gallipoli, Symons was in command of a section of newly captured trenches and repelled several counter-attacks with great coolness. An enemy attack on an isolated sap early in the morning resulted in six officers becoming casualties and part of the sap being lost, but Symons retook it, shooting two Turks. The sap was then attacked from three sides and this officer managed, in the face of heavy fire, to build a barricade. On the enemy setting fire to the head cover, he extinguished it and rebuilt the barricade. His coolness and determination finally compelled the enemy to withdraw.
He later achieved the rank of LTCOL during World War II.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.